Review: The Vamps – SSE Arena, Belfast

Last night saw the return of British heart-throbs The Vamps to the stage of Belfast’s SSE Arena for the fourth consecutive year running. With teens swarming from all over the country the band certainly made their mark, which anyone within a ten mile radius would be aware of, with screams echoing from the moment the arena doors opened to the moment they were locked shut.

The 6th stop on the band’s UK and Ireland tour, Belfast were in for a night dedicated to showcasing the success of their number 1 third studio album Night & Day. Since rising to fame in late 2012 with covers on YouTube and supporting McFly 2013 Memory Lane tour, The Vamps have since went beyond merely making a name for themselves, with their biggest single ever ‘All Night’ reaching 300 million global streams.

Now with 3 albums, their own record label and the hearts of million adoring teens under their belt, The Vamps were back to deliver another high-energy show to Belfast with support from New Hope Club and Jacob Sartorious.

British pop rock trio New Hope Club kicked off the show to an Arena already filled to the brim with teenagers and adults alike, all hooked from the first word. Playing songs such as ‘Good Day’ and ‘Tiger Feet’, the band gave a special mention to those in the crowd that may not know who they are. If there were any first time listeners in the crowd they were surely converted fast, and hell hath no fury like a newly bred fan girl, never mind thousands confined in one area fuelled by adrenaline and excitement.

It was a short set to the dismay of the crowd, with the screams from their exit still lingering in the air when Jacob Sartorious appeared. From the minute he bounced on stage to explosions from the crowd the American teen gave no hint that he was a 15 year old boy a world away from home, instead exuding the confidence of a singer with decades of touring on his resume.

Armed only with a microphone and his voice, with a two piece band behind him, the social media star played songs such as his 2016 debut single ‘Sweatshirt’ and ‘Hang Me Out to Dry’.

The brief chance for last minute snacks and toilet breaks was cut short as the crowd was plunged into darkness. The deafening screams of the crowd met their match as the much anticipated headliner’s intro shot onto the screen. A black starry backdrop showcasing the profile of each band member played as the intro reached a crescendo of pounding drums, bone-chilling screams and raging hormones.

A perfect cocktail of new and old songs such as ‘Can We Dance’, ‘Wild Heart’, Hands’ and ‘Shades On’, the band paraded up and down every inch of the L-shaped stage to the delight of fans literally throwing themselves towards the barrier.

Special guest Maggie Lindemann was the cherry on top of the perfect cocktail, taking to the stage to sing ‘Personal’ with the boys along with a one off cover of her single ‘Pretty Girl‘.

If their discography is anything to go it is clear these four boys have well deserved their rise to fame over the past 6 years. The Vamps have reached a prominent position in the current pop rock genre, and their talent combined with their amazingly upbeat songs, infectious lyrics and adoring fans young and old all make for an incredibly high energy, enjoyable night.

It was an explosive ending after the classic encore, complete with confetti and a powerful version of BBC Radio 1 A List song ‘All Night’. Hypnotised, the crowd jumped until the last note, confetti still shooting from the canons as the screams gradually calmed to silence.